Get both SMS and Messenger conversations in one Facebook Android app

A few months ago, Facebook was reported to be testing SMS integration in its Messenger app for Android. Now, that feature is officially live. It's entirely optional, so you'll need to enable it. To do so, head over to Settings in the Messenger app, select "SMS" and then choose "Default SMS app." This means all of your text messages will be sent and received on the Messenger app. Your SMS conversations will be in purple to differentiate them from the default Messenger blue.

Interestingly, SMS in Messenger doesn't support just text and images. It also supports rich content like stickers, GIFs, emojis and location sharing -- just like regular Messenger conversations. Facebook also wanted to clarify that none of the messages are stored on the company's servers; all of the text messages are sent via SMS as per usual. That does mean that regular texting fees do apply.

"We know that people receive messages via both SMS and Messenger - for example your best friend sends you GIFs on Messenger whilst your mom only uses SMS - we want to make it easier to stay in touch with all the people you care about. We hope that this new choice will bring the convenience of being able to access all your messages in one place, making your messaging a lot simpler and helping you stay on top of your conversations!"We've already been testing this to some people; here's how it works:1. Open Messenger and tap on Settings (the person icon)2. Select “SMS” from the list3. Turn on “Default SMS app"

Now you can view and respond to your SMS conversations in Messenger. Your SMS conversations will be in purple and your Messenger conversations will be in blue.

Actual photo on my phone roll out in the PH June 18What else do you need to know?SMS in Messenger supports standard text, images, videos, and audio, but also rich content like stickers, emojis, and location sharing. You'll have to use regular Messenger to send GIFs, send money, make voice & video calls, and request transportation.The feature is only available on Android. However, when you send an SMS message, the recipient can be on any platform.SMS in Messenger doesn't send, upload or store your conversations on Facebook servers. All messages are sent and received via SMS. Standard SMS, regular text fees apply. Regular, non-SMS messages sent/received on Messenger will continue to use data.Using this feature is your choice; you can easily switch to a different app as your primary SMS app from your device settings, or directly from the app that you want to make your primary SMS app.

This feature is only for the Android app due to the limitations of iOS. But seeing as Apple's own Messaging is getting a lot of these Messenger-like enhancements -- emojis, stickers etc -- iPhone users probably aren't missing out too much.